When it comes to skin-care trends, nothing tops the bouncy, smooth and glowy look of glass skin. Regardless of age or skin type, the results remain a goal for most skin-care enthusiasts, including this beauty writer. There are lots of different ways to achieve glass skin, including a handful of glass skin treatments. While I’m not opposed to a professional service, I always look to the K-beauty products and items I can do in the comfort of my home.
If you follow K-beauty trends, you know that salmon sperm has been particularly buzzy, with Medicube’s Salmon PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask ($5) becoming the most viral product in the category. Saturated with hydrating ingredients that promise to deliver plump and glassy skin, it’s taken the internet by storm, but does it really work? Ahead, I put the mask to the test to find out once and for all.
What is salmon sperm, or salmon PDRN?
Although salmon PDRN is regarded as salmon sperm, it’s actually a type of DNA called polydeoxyribonucleotides, or PDRN for short, that is sourced from salmon sperm. It’s known to have several health benefits. However, in the case of skinc are, PDRN is used to boost wound-healing properties and has been linked to improving skin elasticity and collagen production. In that vein, it’s become a popular ingredient in face masks, serums and creams.
The benefits of the Salmon PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask
Medicube’s Salmon PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask is a two-piece jelly mask that starts out as an opaque color and shifts, becoming clear or completely transparent as it works. The transition style of the sheet of mask isn’t new, but it is helpful to let you know when the ingredients have soaked into the skin. Along with salmon PDRN, the mask is soaked in a bevy of skin-plumping ingredients, including hydrolyzed collagen, niacinamide and peptides. Together they create a solution that targets a number of concerns such as hydration, enlarged pores, loss of elasticity, and uneven tone, among others. The final result is meant to give you glassy, glowing skin that’s tightened and smooth.
How to use the Salmon PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask
This mask from Medicube comes with two separate flexible pieces, so you don’t have to struggle with making it fit comfortably. After removing each piece from the package, place them in the respective areas and smooth them until they lay flat on the skin. Once you’ve got them placed comfortably, it’s time to settle in and let the ingredients soak in. As they sink in, the mask will tighten and begin to transition from its opaque pink color to clear. The brand notes that the transition time varies per person but suggests keeping the mask on for one to three hours. You can think of it as a self-care moment of relaxation or use the time to catch up on your favorite shows, read, or get some work done if you’re WFH.
My honest thoughts
This was my first time using a transitioning or tightening sheet mask, so I was interested to see how long it would take to begin working. After slipping the pieces out of the envelope, I placed them on my skin and was impressed with how quickly I was able to get them perfectly in position. To note, there was no off-putting or fragrant smell, which is something I try to avoid when using a face mask. I smoothed the edges around my jaw and placed the extra pieces on my temples to ensure that as much of my face was covered as possible, then settled on the couch with a book.
About an hour later I began to notice the mask tightening, but not in an uncomfortable way, and that it had started losing its color. I’d initially planned to keep the mask on for two hours, so I stuck to that time frame. When the time was up, I peeled the mask off, and though it was dry, my skin looked glassy and glowy. But the best result was how smooth and seemingly poreless my skin looked. The two-hour time period didn’t bother me and was well worth the results in the end. That said, I could see this mask staying in my routine and becoming a go-to before big events or special occasions.